Hydraulic Valve Workport Duplication for Low-Leak Tandem Actuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic systems for machines like wheel loaders have complex plumbing configurations that increase costs, reduce reliability, and lead to higher machine downtime due to multiple potential leak points and complex fittings.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic control valve with duplicate workports and integrated actuator oscillation control features that internally split fluid flow to pair of actuators, eliminating the need for complex fittings and plumbing, and incorporating oscillation control components within the valve assembly to enhance reliability and reduce complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hydraulic systems use separate fittings and plumbing for each actuator, then each actuator can be controlled independently, but the plumbing complexity increases and reliability decreases due to multiple leak points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple work ports and fluid passages into a single integrated valve body. The valve assembly includes a first work port connected to a first actuator and a second work port connected to a second actuator, with fluid passages internally connecting these ports within the valve body itself, eliminating the need for external fittings and plumbing between the valve and actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is designed to control multiple actuators simultaneously through a single device. The valve body integrates multiple work ports (first work port, second work port) and fluid passages to distribute pressurized fluid to different actuators, making the valve assembly a multi-functional component that replaces what would traditionally require separate valve-fitting-plumbing assemblies for each actuator.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional hydraulic systems use multiple fittings and hoses, then system flexibility is maintained, but assembly cost increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (valve body, fittings, hoses, and plumbing) into a single integrated valve assembly. The valve body contains internally formed fluid passages that connect the first work port to the second work port, eliminating the need for external fittings and hoses, thereby reducing assembly cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is designed as a modular unit that can be manufactured as a single integrated component or as separate sections that are easily assembled. The valve body, spool, and fluid passages are configured to work together as a complete assembly that replaces complex external plumbing, making the system easier to manufacture and assemble.
3Reliability
If conventional hydraulic systems use separate plumbing for each actuator, then each actuator can be serviced independently, but the likelihood of malfunction increases due to multiple potential leak points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fluid pathways into a single integrated valve body with internally formed passages. By eliminating external fittings, hoses, and connections between the valve and actuators, the number of potential leak points is significantly reduced, thereby improving system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the external plumbing infrastructure (fittings, hoses, and connecting pipes) from the hydraulic system by integrating all fluid passages within the valve body itself. This removal of external components eliminates the associated leak points while maintaining the necessary fluid distribution functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces plumbing complexity, lowers costs, and enhances the reliability of hydraulic systems by eliminating external complex fittings and plumbing, while providing effective actuator oscillation control for improved machine performance.
Implementation Method 1
a spool axially movable in a bore within the monoblock worksection, wherein: (a) when the spool is shifted axially in a first axial direction within the bore, pressurized fluid is provided from a source of pressurized fluid to the first workport and to the third workport via the first fluid passage so as to drive the first actuator and the second actuator in tandem in a first direction
Implementation Method 2
pressurized fluid is provided from a source of pressurized fluid to the first workport and to the third workport via the first fluid passage so as to drive the first actuator and the second actuator in tandem in a first direction
Data Source
AI summary
An example valve assembly includes a first workport fluidly coupled to a first actuator; a second workport fluidly coupled to the first actuator; a third workport fluidly coupled to a second actuator, wherein the third workport is fluidly coupled to the first workport via a first fluid passage; a fourth workport fluidly coupled to the second actuator, wherein the fourth workport is fluidly coupled to the second workport via a second fluid passage; and a spool axially movable in a bore within the valve assembly, wherein when the spool is shifted axially in a first axial direction, pressurized fluid is provided to the first workport and to the third workport via the first fluid passage, and when the spool is shifted axially in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction, pressurized fluid is provided to the second workport and to the fourth workport via the second fluid passage.